City Comparison
Montgomery vs Vestavia Hills
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Vestavia Hills scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Montgomery
Vestavia Hills
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montgomery is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montgomery's average rent is
25% lower than Vestavia Hills's.
| Metric | Montgomery | Vestavia Hills | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,485 | $1,975 | -25% |
| Groceries | $365 | $425 | -14% |
| Utilities | $215 | $180 | +19% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $120 | +108% |
| Monthly Total | $2,465 | $2,850 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 48% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Vestavia Hills delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montgomery is estimated at
$55,000 vs $62,960 in Vestavia Hills.
| Metric | Montgomery | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,571 | $68,012 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $62,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,967 idx | 54,848 idx |
| Household Income | $56,811 | $134,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montgomery | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Montgomery scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Montgomery leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Montgomery | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montgomery is the larger city
— approximately 5.1x the population of Vestavia Hills.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montgomery | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,494 | 38,616 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.48% |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 2.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montgomery
Advantages
The cost of living in Montgomery is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Montgomery ranked #1 in Alabama for Capital Investment in New Projects in 2024, indicating a strong business environment.
The median home sale price of $205,000 (May 2026) is significantly lower than the national average, offering accessible homeownership.
The city offers diverse public transportation options, including fixed-route buses and on-demand micro-transit services.
Major hospitals like Baptist Medical Center East and South have received awards for specialized care, indicating quality healthcare services.
Drawbacks
Montgomery's crime rates are 47% higher than the Alabama average, posing a concern for residents.
The city has a low Walk Score of 26 and a Transit Score of 22, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
The median household income of $56,811 (2024) is lower than the national average.
Utilities in Montgomery are about 10% pricier than the U.S. average.
The city's population experienced a slight decline of -0.5% year-over-year in 2024.
Vestavia Hills
Advantages
Vestavia Hills boasts a top-rated public school system, consistently ranked among the best in Alabama.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant recreational parks, green spaces, and community events.
Vestavia Hills is considered a very safe community with a high safety score and low violent crime rates.
Residents benefit from a relatively short average commute time of 19.3 minutes.
The median household income of $134,369 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Vestavia Hills is 24% higher than the national average, primarily due to high housing costs.
Housing costs, including both renting and buying, are approximately 90% higher than the national average.
The city is largely car-dependent with low walkability (score of 22) and minimal public transit options.
Employment in Vestavia Hills experienced a decline of -1.89% from 2023 to 2024.
Natural gas prices in Vestavia Hills averaged $23.38 per thousand cubic feet in November 2024, which was approximately 56.6% more than the U.S. average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Montgomery
#488Alabama, USA
53.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,485
Avg Salary
$35,571
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
65
Business
75
Vestavia Hills
#78Alabama, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$68,012
Cost Index
124
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.48%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
88
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Montgomery and Vestavia Hills.
Open Cost Calculator